President Biden Signs Critical Wildfire Assistance Into Law

Today President Joe Biden signed into law a legislative package that includes $10 billion for the reauthorization of the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). The program will provide much-needed relief for California winegrowers, farmers and ranchers across the country who sustained financial losses to crops as a result of wildfires, smoke exposure, drought, excessive heat and other natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. The legislation also includes a short-term measure that funds the federal government through Dec. 3, 2021, and avoids a shut-down and suspension of government services.

Wine Institute advocated for a number of key provisions that were included in the legislation and will expand opportunities for winegrape growers who suffered losses as a result of wildfires to receive assistance. The program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and eligible California winegrowers will be able to work with their local USDA Service Center to submit an application when the program is re-opened in the coming weeks. Wine Institute will circulate additional details once the final rules and payment calculation information are released by USDA.